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NFL Draft: Eric Gray drafted by New York Giants in the 5th round

By Brandon Self

Sep 17, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Eric Gray (0) runs for a touchdown during the first half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Eric Gray (0) runs for a touchdown during the first half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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2023 NFL Draft – 5th Round – New York Giants

Oklahoma running back Eric Gray is officially a professional football player. Gray was just selected by the New York Football Giants with the 172nd pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Gray will join 2018 first-round running back Saquon Barkley in East Rutherford, adding to an already explosive Giants offense. The other running back on the Giants roster is Matt Breida, a six-year veteran Gray should be able to compete with for the backup position behind All-Pro Barkley.

I love the fit. First-year offensive coordinator Mike Kafka will rely heavily on his running backs during his first season as the offensive coordinator for the Giants. Barkley has been a reliable running back for the Giants for the most part. However, he has been prone to injury lately, and we all know the shelf life for running backs in the NFL is low. I see Gray being an early contributor on special teams and eventually earning a decent amount of playing time behind Barkley or alongside Breida.

Gray served as the most effective offensive weapon in Norman during the 2022 season. He rushed 213 times for 1,366 yards and 11 touchdowns during his final season in Norman. Gray was also selected as a first-team All-Big 12 selection following the 2022 season. Gray opted out of the Cheez-It Bowl against Florida State, allowing the star emergence of running backs Gavin Sawchuk and Jovantae Barnes.

Gray is the fourth Sooner to be selected in this year’s draft, and I feel he won’t be the last. Still on the Sooners potential draft list, C.J. Coldon, Dashaun White, Brayden Willis, and Chris Murray. As I update this article, the draft is currently sitting at the beginning of the sixth round, and I feel the previously mentioned Sooners will begin to see their names flash at the bottom of the screen.

Sooner Nation will miss Eric Gray’s production and leadership. And even though I am a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan, I can’t wait to see Gray’s NFL career takeoff.

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